The Scriptures remind us that we are the Body of Christ, woven together for the sake of our witness to God's love and grace. As members of the ELCA we claim the power of being Christ's Church-Better Together.  

At our Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly in May the Synod Council announced the Better Together Fund, an opportunity for those passionate about our shared ministry as a synod and as a global church to set aside one dollar a day (or more) for the foundational work we do together. Learn more and give a gift online.

 

View Bishop Gonia's video introduction: 

 

 

 

 

Registration is open for the annual gathering for leaders in the Rocky Mountain Synod. The registration deadline is August 20.

Information about the event is posted online, including the registration link.

Those who have been participating in the Journey of Renewal program will gather one day early for the program closing retreat.

The Rocky Mountain Synod Council has made the difficult decision to close the mission congregation currently served by Pastor Emily Ewing in South Jordan, Utah. For the past nine years, this unique "storefront" ministry has faithfully witnessed to the Good News of Christ in the unique Utah context, and we give thanks for Pastor Emily's ministry.

The Service of Holy Closure will take place on Sunday, August 23 at 5 p.m. at 10318 Redwood Rd #16, South Jordan, UT 84095. All are invited to join with Bishop Gonia in giving thanks for this ministry as it comes to a conclusion.

 

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We have big changes in store for the High School Synod Gathering this November 20-22! If you have been doing the gathering for years or this is your first time, this is going to be a great retreat. This year's theme is "The Pursuit." We will be focusing on our individual giftedness and how those gifts fit into and help to forms the greater community of faith.

 

There are a lot of new surprises this year! Here's what's in store.

1. The gathering will be held at the Denver Marriot West. It is 2-3 hours closer to our southern and western congregations with no travel difference for those up north.
2. Added service component. We will be heading out to Denver in congregational groups on Saturday for service in the community.
3. Fun activities in the hotel and surrounding area!

Some of the tried and true things that we always do will still be the

same!

1. Small Groups
2. Large Group
3. Congregational time
4. Saturday night Party!

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us November 20-22 in Denver! Cost has not yet been finalized, but budget for between $135-155.

 

The Church Development Institute (CDI) is a program for clergy and lay leaders focused on developing the spiritual community and organizational life of congregations to transform them by making them stronger, healthier, more deeply rooted in spirituality, more responsive to God, and more effective in their communities. CDI adpts research and experimentation of secular organizations to the Church's nature and mission through 110 hours of instruction delivered over eight weekends over the course of two years. CDI emphases the building of relationships in congregations and the wider church, demonstrating that we are "Better Together" especially since this is an opportunity provided to us through the Episcopal Church, USA.

 

Funding for scholarships is under consideration by the Rocky Mountain Synod Council. For more information, please contact Earline Bohling, Rocky Mountain Synod Vice President, at ebohling@comcast.net 

 

Church Development Institute Colorado

 www.coloradodiocese.org

 

Church Development Institute Utah

  www.episcopal-ut.org/register

Each summer, talented young people from across the United States come together to be part of the Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) community. 

 

What they discover is a four-week home where musical excellence is achieved, lifelong friendships are born, faith is deepened, and the spark to serve is ignited. This year it takes place at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. At least two RMS students are participating, Hannah Tassler (daughter of Pastor Michael Tassler, Grace, Colorado Springs) and April Benson, First, Colorado Springs.

Hannah was honored to have won the LSM concerto competition this year, and will perform the first movement of the Mozart Flute Concerto No. 2 in D major along with the symphony orchestra at a closing concert on July 18.

 

Read Hannah's blog about her experiences so far at this link.

 

Nominations (including self-nominations) are being solicited for both clergy and lay members of the new RMS Mental Health Team. 

 

The 2015 Synod Assembly unanimously approved a resolution creating the Mental Health Team, which is tasked with identifying and providing resources for mental health education and advocacy to congregations and ministries of the Synod. Our hope is to convene the Team yet this summer. 

 

If you and/or someone in your ministry community is passionate about this issue and interested in being part of this Synod Ministry Team, please email Rev. Nelson Bock  with names and contact information. 

 

It is intended that much-if not all-of our meeting will take place by internet in order to save on travel time and money, so that people in outlying parts of the Synod may participate. 

Pope Francis issued a clarion call for the care of God's earth; for humanity to come together to protect the planet that God created, which sustains us and our fellow creatures.  

In a statement released by ELCA, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton praised the encyclical, noting parallels to our own social statement "Caring for Creation" and calling for action.
 

Read Bishop Eaton's statement

 

A variety of resources are now available (with more to come) to help tell the story of the Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly, May 1-3 in Salt Lake City.

RMS Assembly Choir: Utah Conference

RMS Sermon: Bishop Eaton

Rocky Mountain Synod 2015 Assembly Children's Sermon

Rostered leaders include pastors, diaconal ministers, associates in ministry, and deaconesses. View a list of congregations in transition at this link.

Prison ministry seeks donations of new greeting cards

One of the ministries that New Beginnings Worshipping Community in Denver offers is a Card Ministry. It ties many hearts together. Pastor Terry Schjang brings donated cards into the prison throughout the year. Women in the prison involved in the New Beginnings Card Ministry meet weekly to sort, stamp, and bundle cards. Three times per year, the women of the Card Ministry are honored to distribute 10,000-15,000 cards to the approximately 1000 women in the prison. The ministry continues as the women who receive cards then have the means to send them back outside to friends and loved ones, including their children. The circle continues as many hearts are tied together. If you are interested in donating new cards for this ministry, please email pastorterry.nbwc@gmail.com

We invite you to join us the second Wednesday of each month for a staff/community Eucharist Service at 11:30am at the Office of the Bishop. Email Erin Power if you are interested in leading worship!  

Flood recovery construction manager needed

The Larimer County Long-Term Recovery Group is looking for a new construction manager dealing with long-term recovery from the floods of 2013 and also the Hyde Park fire. The funding currently in hand for this position goes through mid-December, but will likely be extended for a total of 18 months. If you know of someone who might be interested in this position, please contact Phyllis Kane at  Phyllis.Kane@lfsrm.org or 970-646-8794 as soon as possible or contact Ron Roschke at rroschke@rmselca.org to see the job description.

 

 

Eben Ezer is seeking LPNs and RNs
 

All Shifts available. Eben Ezer is an independent, non-profit provider located on a beautiful campus in Brush offering long term care, short-term rehab, memory care, assisted and independent living. Located in Brush!, CO; an easy trip East of Denver on I-76  Click here for more information  

While youth will provide the labor, we are in desperate need of supplies. If you know of a building supply company that could donate 4 X 8 OSB boards, please contact Lisa.Jeffrey@elca.org. You can also donate toward the purchase of supplies by going to www.elca.org/Gathering

ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants support ministries that offer hope and assistance to thousands of people who experience poverty and hunger in the United States. In 2015, World Hunger funded 324 projects across the US for a total of $739,075.  Projects range from congregational food pantries to weekend backpack programs for children to job training and living wage advocacy campaigns.  

 

Grants are available for organizations that provide direct relief or assist with community development, community  organization, or advocacy.  More information and the application are available at http://www.elca.org/domestichungergrants If you have any specific questions about the application itself, please contact Joe Young (joe.young@elca.org) or Johnnie Thompson (johnnie.thompson@elca.org).

 

Due date for the application is July 10, 2015.